The Volta ao Algarve has already entered its crucial phase after the cancellation of the first stage due to route management problems, images of the "double sprint" have gone around the world. Today (Thursday for those reading this) the group climbed up to the Alto da Foia where Jan Christen and Joao almeida they signed a deadly one-two. What's new at home UAE Team Emirates-XRG is the presence in the flagship of Manuel Seni as a mechanicAfter finishing his career, the Romagnola started working in a bike shop and after a couple of days of racing in 2024, from this year he has taken on the role of mechanic for the Emirati team (see opening photo) UAE Team Emirates – XRG).
Already in the running
When we call him, he's at the side of the road ready for a refueling. The race has just started and the pace is calm. We catch our breath and, together with Senni, delve into the secrets of this new role.
«Since 2021 – he says – the year in which I stopped running, I immediately got to work and found a job in a shopHe passes by those parts every now and then Andrea Agostini, one of the team managers of the UAE Emirates and last year he asked me if I was interested in doing a few trial days with them. I accepted and last season I found myself working as a mechanic for the team on a couple of occasions.We hit it off straight away and a few months later they put me under contract and I'm working full time with the UAE Emirates».
By talking about it, can you realize it or is it all still too new?
Being in the world UAE it's beautiful. Even when I was racing, I always saw cycling as a passion and not a job. I still have the same feeling today. Returning to professional cycling, working with the world's number one team and being around these riders is wonderful.
What changes when you experience cycling as a rider or as a staff member?
When you are an athlete you have greater “stress” because your performance has a significant weight. Being on staff takes this part away but you work harder, you work hard! But in terms of stress and tension you're more relaxed, the thing I like is that I still feel involved.
You're part of the same group, even if you have different jobs and tasks...
This is my first race of 2025 and I feel taken by the result, I feel the tension of the raceIt's a passive tension, because the riders ride bikes, but we all work for the best result and when I look at them it's as if I were there with them.
What have you already seen of the world? UAE Emirates?
I went to the warehouse in Milan to assemble the frames before leaving for the January collection in Spain. That was the first impact with all the riders, there were Pogacar and all the big names of the teamThere was so much emotion, but also so much responsibility. You know you're in the best team in the world and you can't make mistakes.
Have you worked on Pogacar's bike yet?
Not yet, he has a personal mechanic who has been following him since he was a kid.
What is it like to get to the race by bus? UAE?
You are overwhelmed by a sea of people and fans. As a rider you perceive it but you experience it less, get off the bus to go and sign in, get back on and get off again to go to the departure point. We on the staff are in contact with the fans for many hours, they ask and ask questions.
What kind?
They want the water bottle or ask where the riders are so they can wait for a photo or an autograph. There are also many technical enthusiasts who ask questions about chainrings, gear ratios, tires or pressuresOthers are simply curious and ask how the athletes are doing.
Are you answering?
As far as we can, yes. But I swear we don't know the riders' fitness level; you'd have to ask the trainers for that.
Does having been a rider help you get used to this new job?
I have to admit, yes. Even now to pass the water bottle, if you have been on the other side you know the movements and you know how to help the athleteThe things that need to be taken care of immediately are the roads and shortcuts to get to supplies in time. So before leaving you have to check the maps Which roads are closed to avoid getting stuck and missing the group. On a few occasions, I had to go to the refreshments alone, and I must admit, it was a bit tense.
You got off to a good start with the Christen-Almeida double in the second stage…
We're here with a strong team, with four of the seven Portuguese riders. They're the local stars; when Almeida, Morgado, and the Oliveira brothers arrive, the crowd gets really excited.
After a double like this, is there time to celebrate?
Not much! For us mechanics, as soon as the stage ends, the real work begins: we open the throttle. We load the bikes and head to the hotel and work to make sure everything is ready for the next stage.We wash the frames, check the various components and then wash the vehicles. At the moment everything is very regular, the riders have not yet made any particular requests.Even while racing, we didn't experience any stressful situations; the punctures occurred at calm moments.
Where will you go next?
I have a provisional schedule, but as soon as the Back to the Algarve I'm going to the races in Croatia. Then I will do a series of runs with the I have to team up and in April I should be at RoubaixThere will be a lot of tension there, but I will have had the opportunity to gain experience in the meantime.
Will you continue to work in the shop?
Since I am employed full time I have a lot of work to do, even outside of competitions, but if I have a free half day I will gladly go back to greet old colleagues.
